Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Memories of the Past Life (2)
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Kang San didn't head straight home after parting ways with Jung Min-hyuk.
To prepare for the dungeon hunt that was right around the corner, he made a beeline for a Scroll Store nestled in the bustling commercial district.
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome."
The Scroll Store's chime was no different from any ordinary shop.
A glass display case immediately caught the eye, filled with neatly arranged scrolls in their rolled-up forms. Each one cost at least a million won—a premium item through and through. Kang San usually picked up one or two for emergencies, but this time, he needed to be fully prepared, unlike before.
As he approached, the plump-faced owner spoke up.
"Looking for anything specific?"
"Yes. Could I see Roman the crafter's scrolls? Nothing above mid-grade."
"Right away."
Roman.
The name of the scroll crafter Kang San favored most.
His full name was Roman Bednar, an A-Rank mage renowned for his exceptional crafting skills. From what was known, he'd retired from active raids to run a specialized magic scroll production company. Thanks to that, Kang San could get his hands on Roman's scrolls even from a distant foreign land.
"Here you go."
Shhhrk.
The magic scrolls were laid out before him.
Kang San picked out a few that caught his eye.
'A Sharpness scroll, a Shield scroll, and a Fire Burst scroll should do it. Fire Burst is mid-grade, so it's a bit pricey, but better to spend the money than die in a dungeon.'
"I'll take all of these."
"Two low-grade and one mid-grade. That'll be five million won."
Five million.
A jaw-dropping sum.
Magic scrolls were notoriously difficult to craft, so finished products carried a hefty premium. Roman Bednar's name alone was a brand unto itself. The price wasn't just labor costs—it was steep—but when you thought of it as the cost of one's life, it was an essential expense.
The shopping wrapped up quickly.
His balance, which had been nearing two hundred million just recently, was now scraped bare from the Kim Chun-sik incident and this latest purchase.
'Down to just ten million left.'
A sigh escaped him naturally.
Six years as a hunter.
Money scraped together through all sorts of filthy jobs, and now it was all gone. The emptiness hit him hard.
But what could he do?
It was a necessary choice for the future.
And at least it hadn't been squandered—it had gone to a good cause, which brought him some comfort.
'...I wonder if Granny's surgery went well.'
He'd heard a brief update.
Thanks to his donation, the surgery costs were covered, and she'd gone under the knife shortly after.
Curiosity about the outcome struck him suddenly.
If one life had been saved at the cost of his own poverty, maybe then he could let go of any lingering attachment to the money.
'Guess I'll call the hospital.'
He dialed right away.
After inquiring at the hospital admin desk about Kim Chun-sik's grandmother, a remarkably upbeat voice came through the line.
"Ah, you're the one who donated for Park Mi-seon's surgery. It went perfectly. She'll need ongoing treatment, but she's past the worst of it. Oh, and her guardian, Kim Chun-sik, has been hounding us every day for your contact info. Should I pass it along? He's been lobbying so hard I can barely ignore him."
"Glad to hear it. But no, don't give him my number. Best to let this one end here."
"Alright then, if you say so."
They exchanged a few brief words before hanging up.
A smile tugged at his lips.
At least his money had saved a life.
Kim Chun-sik was just a passing acquaintance, but Kang San genuinely hoped the man lived happily.
'Please live well. No more risky jobs to pay for surgery. Granny's healthy now—you've got to stick around for the long haul, right?'
Words he couldn't say aloud.
Kang San swallowed them down, fully erasing thoughts of Kim Chun-sik from his mind.
A week later.
Once the cooldown on Guardian's Will was up, Kang San headed straight for Gangwon Province.
'Still intact. Good.'
The dungeon was unchanged from a week ago.
He'd worried it might be discovered in the meantime, but its remote location had kept it safe from prying feet.
First things first: dig.
Securing the entrance was priority one.
About two meters down, the dungeon mouth appeared. To guard against surprises, Kang San set up a fence around it. Magic fences prevented monsters from escaping outward. The downside was the time it took to deactivate one, which could put him at risk too—but he'd take that chance.
Preparations complete.
Kang San took a deep breath, flicked on his magic light, and stepped into the dungeon.
Thud.
'Pretty gloomy.'
The dungeon took the form of an underground tunnel.
Damp, sticky humidity clung to his skin, and every footfall echoed around him.
He hugged his shield close to his body.
Monsters could pop up anytime.
Unknown foes were a massive danger, so he never let his guard slip.
How much time passed?
After advancing about fifty meters inward, Kang San spotted a shadowy flicker ahead.
'...Skeleton?'
Close range.
A skull-headed figure devoid of flesh shambled toward him.
Five in total.
F-Rank monsters or not, that was a number even he had to treat cautiously.
But contrary to the tension, Kang San's expression brightened.
'Nice.'
Skeletons were darkness-affinity monsters.
Unlike others, they were vulnerable to holy power—and Kang San possessed exactly that.
The buff's magnitude depended on his holy power and the enemy's strength.
His holy power was still low, granting just a 10% boost, but it was a solid gain nonetheless.
'This'll be easy.'
Relief washed over him.
In a darkness monster's home turf, the odds were heavily in his favor.
That was when they charged for real.
Kyaaak!
Thud-thud-thud!
Bones clattered noisily as they collided.
But their movements weren't fast.
Skeletons were dangerous because they hunted in packs, felt no pain, and charged recklessly without a thought for defense. Those strengths? Useless against holy power.
Just like now.
Crack!
Kang San cleaved the lead Skeleton.
Its right arm shattered outright.
A normal Skeleton would've ignored the loss and lunged with its jaws, but holy power produced a different outcome.
Kieeeek!
The Skeleton shrieked in agony.
Smoke rose from the severed spot like charred flesh, and it staggered back. Holy power inflicted pain and annihilation effects on darkness monsters. Against Skeletons, at least, Kang San had no reason to retreat.
Thump.
He kicked off the ground.
The fight wrapped up swiftly.
The Skeletons desperately tried to bite him, but Kang San alternated dodges and counters flawlessly, turning their assaults against them. It took no more than three minutes. Moments ago, they'd been whole; now, they were scattered bone fragments.
"Hoo."
He caught his breath lightly.
A profound sense of the world's shift hit him.
Back when he had no skills, even one Skeleton gave him trouble. Now five were a non-issue. He was undoubtedly growing. In his past without a shred of talent, he'd scraped by as an F-Rank arrow sponge. Now, with opportunities for growth, he'd climbed steeply.
'At this rate, I can clear it solo.'
The first fight was crucial.
Had it felt overwhelming, he'd have risked info leaks and brought backup.
But a darkness dungeon changed everything.
This wasn't a trial mission.
Convinced his luck had finally turned, Kang San rested up and pressed deeper.
And soon enough.
He was reminded just how cursed his luck truly was.
The start was smooth sailing.
Only Skeletons lurked inside, and even a dozen charging at once were manageable solo.
The problem lay at the end.
In the vast final chamber, a grotesque abomination stood that made Kang San doubt his eyes.
"Fuck, a Dullahan."
His face hardened.
What kind of monster was a Dullahan?
A humanoid nightmare loping about with its severed head dangling in hand—one of the premier darkness monsters. Same rank as the Blood Orc he'd faced before, but Dullahans ranked high even among D-Ranks. For Kang San, who'd barely felled a Blood Orc with help, this was an unwinnable foe alone.
Warning bells screamed in his head.
Instinct screamed to flee, but stepping foot here meant no retreat.
Kraaaah!
"Shit!"
The Dullahan spotted him.
It barreled in like a freight train, swinging its iron head before he could dodge.
Clang!
"Hrgh."
A groan escaped despite himself.
Pain shot through the shield, twisting his guts.
But Kang San gritted his teeth and backpedaled frantically. Enraged that its blow hadn't landed, the Dullahan followed up instantly. Its head whistled past, slicing air right before his eyes. Their gazes locked in that instant, sending chills racing across his skin.
'Fucking monster.'
Profanity burned in his throat.
Honestly, after the Skeletons, he'd thought Azmun was finally cutting him some slack.
Look at the trials so far.
Life-or-limb gambles, staking everything.
This fourth one had seemed easier by comparison—a trick.
The true fourth trial.
The Dullahan itself.
Azmun hadn't spared him—he'd known this was coming.
'You really pull out all the stops.'
Riiip.
He tore the Sharpness scroll.
White light gleamed along his blade. Dodging the next attack, he slashed the Dullahan's body.
Kaang!
'...?!'
No effect.
Even with Sharpness enhancing cutting power, the Dullahan's hide showed not a scratch. It counterattacked immediately. Kang San retreated in a hurry, ripping a Fire Burst scroll too. Flames erupted with a whoosh, slamming into it. He prayed this would drop it.
But.
Boom!
Grr rumble.
The Dullahan burst through the fire.
Fire Burst was a three-circle spell—the pinnacle for D-Rank mages. Yet it barely fazed the Dullahan.
'This thing's a real beast!'
Thwack!
The Dullahan's relentless charge sent Kang San tumbling back. Timing-based evasion—his specialty—was tough here. As a corpse, its muscle twitches defied normal monster patterns. He blocked with reflexes alone, but the shock through his shield was brutal.
"Urk."
Bile rose in his throat.
Kang San hauled himself up, wiping blood from his mouth.
'I'll die like this.'
This trial.
Azmun truly meant to kill him.
A top-tier D-Rank Dullahan outclassed Blood Orcs; holy buffs couldn't bridge the gap.
Time for a gamble.
Kang San made the extreme call.
'Just a theory, but better than dying.'
Aura of Recovery.
White light mended his wounds.
He triggered Berserker right after.
'Invest everything but 1% HP into Berserker.'
Berserker's effect: attack and speed scale with HP spent.
Dizziness hit as massive HP drained at once, breath catching—but Kang San grinned.